LFCS Service Configuration Practice Question
A service is configured to run as a specific user. Which directive in the [Service] section sets the user?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse systemd's `User=` with the `RunAs` keyword from other operating systems (like Windows services or Solaris) or with generic terms like `Account`, leading them to pick a plausible-sounding but incorrect option.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
User
In systemd service units, the directive to specify the user under which the service process runs is `User=` within the `[Service]` section. This directive sets the Unix user account (by name or UID) that the service's main PID will execute as, ensuring proper privilege separation and security.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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RunAs
Why it's wrong here
RunAs is not a systemd directive; it echoes Kubernetes securityContext.runAsUser, which is a different platform. It is tempting because it describes the intent precisely, but systemd's [Service] section requires User= to set the account, and unknown keys make the unit fail to load.
- ✓
User
Why this is correct
The User directive in the [Service] section specifies the UNIX account the service process runs as, directly satisfying the requirement to run the service under a specific user rather than root or the default system account.
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Account
Why it's wrong here
Account is not a valid systemd [Service] directive; the correct key is User=. It is tempting because 'account' is a natural synonym for the user a service runs as, but systemd parses only User=, and an unrecognised directive causes the unit to fail to load.
- ✗
UserID
Why it's wrong here
systemd unit files have no UserID directive; the [Service] section uses User= to set the account. UserID is tempting because it sounds like the numeric UID equivalent, but systemd expects the name or numeric ID directly after User=, and an unrecognised directive causes the unit to fail to load.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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